Who were the greatest? As we approach the end of our artificially measured century, it is natural to look back and take that different measure: that of the athletes who rose to the very top of their respective sports and are considered the best. In choosing these exceptional men and women, we arbitrarily set a limit of 100, a nice round figure that matches the years considered. It would have been easy to select more: the tough part was to keep the number down to a practical list. It is a list we know will not satisfy everyone (maybe not anyone). But we have drawn on the expertise, experience and insight of the sports writers and photographers who have reported on these athletes for the worlds largest and most prestigious international news agency, The Associated Press. Among our criteria was to look globally. Here are not only the greatest Americans who have thrilled spectators over the decades, but superstars from all over the world. Yes, theres Muhammad Ali. But theres also Nadia Comaneci, and Jean Claude Killy. Theres Hank Aaron, but Sonja Henie and Paavo Nurmi, too. Another goal was to include many different sports, not only the major ones. Yes, theres baseball, football, and basketball. But theres also skating and auto racing and track. And we insisted on searching the distant past as well as more recent history. Michael Jordan, of course. But we cannot forget Jim Thorpe too. One thing that we did not want to do was rank them. In some way, each and every one listed in this unique compilation is No. 1 Babe Ruth, Wilt Chamberlain, Jesse Owens, Rocky Marciano, Jackie Robinson, Rod Laver, Pele, Wayne Gretzky, Wilma Rudolph, and all the others between these covers. This volume with its admittedly debatable choices recalls for us, in stories and superb photographs, the athletes and their accomplishments, the most memorable spors figures and feats of a century.